Industry News

Voice of America (VOA) began construction of a new 30,000-sf state-of-the-art multimedia broadcast center designed by Gensler. An observation walkway will allow the public to watch the broadcaster's 175 journalists at work. A visitor center, visitor exhibits, and a retail shop are also included in the project. VOA is working to have the new facility ready to cover the November presidential elections for its foreign audiences.

Cisco Systems Inc., based in San Jose, Calif., anticipates employing 10,000 workers by 2004 at its campus in Research Triangle Park. An announcement is expected in May concerning the development of a new wireless R&D division at the site that may be as large as its Telephony Internet Services Unit, one of the four largest at that location.

Environmental Protection Agency has awarded Beers Construction Co. of Raleigh, N.C., a $21 million contract for a national computer center at the EPA's Research and Administration Facility in RTP. O'Brien/Atkins Associates of RTP is the architect for the new center.

EpicEdge Inc. will relocate its executive staff from Houston to a $500 million headquarters in Austin. By the end of 2000, the company expects to employ more than 100 people at the new location. EpicEdge specializes in high tech systems integration and Web consulting.

Nextel Communications Inc. is retrofitting a 33,359-sf office building at Creekside Business Park in Danville to serve as a data switching center. The $10 million renovation will include installation of extra power supplies, a special system for climate control, back-up generators, and fiber-optic connections. Nextel hopes to have the site operational by summer 2000.