Industry News

Biomedical Research Models of Worcester, Mass., has relocated part of its operations to 10,000 sf in Springfield. The facility is slated to open in early July of 2003. Biomedical Research Models is affiliated with the Springfield-based Bio-Economic Technology Alliance (BETA), an organization focused on the development of a cluster of biotech manufacturing companies in the area.

Venter Science Foundation Joint Technology Center will open its 60,000-sf facility in Rockville in June 2003. The high-throughput DNA sequencing center will enable scientists from Craig Venter’s Center for the Advancement of Genomics (TCAG) and Duke University to work together to refine genomics research and lower the cost of DNA sequencing technologies. TCAG is a non-profit genomics research and policy center.

Defense contractor BAE Systems will occupy a 161,000-sf facility at Arboretum II in Reston, Va.

Walter Reed Army Medical Center will completely convert its Walter Reed Army Institute of Research facility in Washington, D.C., from a clinical and research structure to a commercial office building. Construction on the 300,000-sf facility is expected to take two years. The project team includes architect Leo A. Daly, general contractor James G. Davis Construction, project manager Keenan Development Ventures, and property manager Insignia/ESG. The project was structured by the Department of Defense.

The University of Washington has awarded Skanska USA Building the pre-construction services assignment for the Johnson Hall renovation in Seattle. The pre-construction phase will begin in the third quarter of 2003. If the project enters the construction phase, which is expected in January 2004, the anticipated construction value for the project would be approximately $35-million. Skanska’s Seattle office will oversee the project, which includes seismic upgrades and renovation/restoration of the 121,000-sf five-story 1930’s historic structure.