Industry News

Texas A&M University at Corpus Christ plans to develop a new classroom and lab facility with $34 million in funds, part of a $1 billion revenue bond initiative for new projects in Texas. The Hart Research Center for Gulf of Mexico Studies is also slated for development with the grant. The center brings the perspectives of bio-diversity and economic sustainability to bear on issues relative to the Gulf of Mexico.

BioSmart Excelerator, a 30,000- to 50,000-sf intermediate incubator for mezzanine bioscience companies, is being planned for Montgomery County, Md., by the former director of Maryland’s Technology Development Center, Duc Duong. Once funds are raised, BioSpace Development of Pittsburgh will design the facility. Duong will build nine more second-stage incubators in the next 10 years if the original concept is successful.

The University of San Diego broke ground in May 2001 on the new four-story, 150,000-sf Science and Technology Center. The $47-million building will contain state-of-the-art labs, a vivarium, a greenhouse, aquariums, an astronomy deck, and a large conference area. San Diego architects Carrier-Johnson designed the facility, which is being built by Rudolph/Sletten. Completion is anticipated by 2003.

Western Michigan University’s new College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Research Building has been designed and engineered by HarleyEllis of Southfield, Mich., in collaboration with design consultant Rossetti Architects of Birmingham, Mich. It houses teaching, lab, and support spaces for the College’s six departments. The $56-million, 350,000-sf facility is situated within the University’s newly developed Business-Technology Research Park in Kalamazoo. The building is designed with three wings radiating from a central hub that houses lecture halls and common areas.

Investigen, an Alameda, Calif.-based biotechnology company, plans to build a 27,000-sf facility on a 1.8-acre site at the North Shore Business Park in Hercules. Investigen expects to occupy 10,000 sf of the structure, subleasing the remaining 17,000 sf.