Industry News

Scott Community College began construction in November of 2009 on the $2.3 million Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Center in Bettendorf, Iowa. The 10,000-sf facility will house classrooms, three culinary labs, a bakery, and an instructional studio. The project team includes Downing Architects and Swanson Construction, both of Bettendorf. Completion is slated for July of 2010. Scott Community College is also building a $4.5 million science facility and a $2.5 million applied technology building.

Newsom Eye & Laser began construction in November of 2009 on a 4,600-sf eye surgery center in Tampa, Fla. Featuring operating rooms designed to meet the required standards for FDA research studies, the facility is part of a $7.5 million expansion of Newsom’s existing campus. Completion is expected in spring of 2010.

Clemson University will initiate construction in the first quarter of 2010 on a wind turbine research facility in Charleston, S.C. Supported by a $45 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and $53 million in matching funds, the facility will be located at the university’s Restoration Institute at the former U.S. Naval Base. Occupancy is expected by 2012.

Novartis opened its influenza vaccine manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, N.C., in November of 2009. The $1 billion project was developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The facility is designed to supply 150 million doses of vaccine within six months of the declaration of a pandemic. The building supports a cell culture-based manufacturing process and is expected to reach full-scale commercial production in 2013.

Texas Tech is broke ground in October of 2009 on the $70 million, 147,500-sf Rawls College of Business Administration in Lubbock. The technology-rich facility will feature interactive group learning workspaces to support a model of teamwork in the business environment. Initial occupancy will begin in fall of 2011 with full occupancy in spring of 2012.