Industry News

The University of Kentucky is planning to construct the $18.6 million Davis Marksbury Building in Lexington. Housing research in visualization, computer science, and electrical and computer engineering, the building represents Phase II of the Digital Village complex. The 25,000-sf project will provide space for the UK Center for Visualization and Virtual Environments, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the Department of Computer Science.

Novus International’s new 90,000-sf global headquarters is slated for completion in early spring of 2009. Novus, an animal health and nutrition company, will consolidate its research and administrative operations in the $20 million facility. Sited in the Missouri Research Park in St. Charles, the project involved renovation of Novus’ existing 42,000-sf building and the addition of 48,000 sf. General contractor Clayco of St. Louis initiated construction in August of 2007 on the facility, which includes 10 laboratories, offices, and a training center.

The University of Iowa opened the 35,000-sf BioVentures Center in Coralville in January of 2009. Located in the UI Research Park, the business incubator features 20 wet labs, 16 offices, shared equipment rooms, and conference rooms for biotechnology and life science companies. Supporting the commercialization of research discoveries, the $8.5 million facility was designed by OPN Architects and built by Ryan Companies, both of Cedar Rapids. Construction began in November of 2007 and reached substantial completion in November of 2008.

Florida State University opened the $20 million High-Performance Materials Institute in January of 2009. Located in Innovation Park in Tallahassee, the facility houses research and development laboratories for advanced composite materials, components, and structures. Designed by Ponikvar & Associates of Gainesville, the High-Performance Materials Institute includes a high-bay manufacturing lab, a vibration-isolated slab for microscopes, and a cleanroom. The two-story, 45,000-sf project was built by Culpepper Construction.

German wind turbine maker Nordex will build a $100 million manufacturing plant in Jonesboro, Ark. Sited on 187 acres in the Craighead Technology Park, the facility will support 700 employees and will manufacture all wind turbine components except the tower. The project will be supported by training programs at Arkansas State University. The plant will be operational by January of 2010, with a second construction phase reaching completion in 2012.