Industry News

The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston is creating one of the first national biocontainment laboratories with a $120 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. The University will contribute the remaining $40 million to build the $160-million, 170,000-sf project. The laboratory will house flexible, high-level biocontainment facilities, clinical facilities, and research support space.

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center will build a Regional Biocontainment Laboratory in Memphis, Tenn. Funded by $5 million from the University and a $14 million grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, the facility will accommodate research on bioterrorism and biotechnology and will be located adjacent to UT’s existing vivarium.

Denver Health’s new $45.9 million expansion opened in June of 2003. The four-story, 143,000-sf wing brought intensive care unit bed space from eleven beds separated by curtains to 24 private rooms.  A secure 21-bed correctional inpatient and outpatient facility is located in the basement, with security cameras and doors and guard stations. The wing also houses 52 medical/surgical private rooms and space for orthopedic services. Gerald H. Phipps Construction was the general contractor for the project, which began in September 2001.

El Segundo, Calif.-based Computer Sciences Corp. has selected Anne Arundel County, Md., as the site of its new divisional headquarters. Located at the refurbished Parkway 100, the 109,000-sf facility will accommodate Computer Science’s new homeland security division and approximately 500 employees. The relocation is scheduled for late spring 2004. Computer Sciences is also considering leasing an additional 100,000 sf at Parkway 100.

Omnicare is planning a 56,235-sf expansion of its 56,600-sf headquarters in Covington, Ky. Project startup costs are estimated at approximately $3.2-million. Omnicare provides pharmaceutical services to the elderly.