Industry News

Opening in early 2006, the Arkansas Department of Health 's new $23-million, 82,000-sf public health laboratory will serve as a first responder facility, accommodating biological and chemical terrorism preparedness reaction for the state.

Saint Thomas Health Services  broke ground in early fall 2004 on the $3-million, 9,000-sf Family Health Center South in Nashville, Tenn. Replacing the existing South Clinic, the facility is slated for completion in late spring 2005. Saint Thomas Health Services is owned by Ascension Health.  

The Home Depot has purchased a 158,300-sf facility in northeast Austin, Texas to house its new data center. The center will employ approximately 500 workers when it becomes operational by spring of 2006.

Rheem Manufacturing Co. has initiated construction on a $6.1 million facility in the West Randleman Business Park in Randleman, N.C. Housing Rheem's Air Conditioning division, the 180,000-sf distribution facility will serve as the North American distribution headquarters for the company's replacement-parts operations. Completion is expection by March 2005. Future plans describe expansion of the facility by an additional 72,000 sf. The project team includes three Greensboro-based firms: Samet Corp.

Washington & Lee University has initiated construction on a 66,000-sf art and music facility on its Lexington, Va., campus. Slated for completion in August 2006, the building will include a 250-seat performance hall, classrooms, art studios, music practice rooms, and a new art gallery. The project contractor is Birmingham, Ala.-based Brice Building Co.