Industry News

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is involved in a renovation and expansion of the newly acquired Hamilton Building that will add 300,000 sf of studio and gallery space. The project will allow the Academy, the oldest art school in the country, to consolidate its museum and create a single campus. Located across the street from the Academy, the Hamilton building will allow a 400-student total enrollment and is slated for completion in fall 2003.

The second phase of the Western Research Campus in Richmond is currently being entitled. Simeon Commercial Properties will break ground on the 90,000-sf life science facility in the spring of 2003.

The University of Maryland is building the $130-million Comcast Center, a 17,000-seat basketball arena facility including a gymnasium, athletic training facilities, administrative offices, and a student athlete academic and career development center. Construction began in July of 2000 and is slated for completion in fall of 2002. Construction management is being provided by a partnership of Gilbane and Smoot Construction.

Illinois-based Newell Rubbermaid's home products division is planning a $26.8-million internal expansion of its 1,200,000-sf Greenville plant. The plant will become the single-source manufacturer and distributor for a new product line launched by Rubbermaid. 

Chula Vista's Southwestern College is developing the $22-million Education Village with San Diego State University where the schools will share classroom space. In Otay Mesa, Southwestern and Sweetwater Union High School are planning Project Synergy, a $123-million, 305,900-sf classroom and office facility. The first phase of construction is slated to start in September 2003 and reach completion in early summer of 2005. A new Sweetwater district high school will open adjacent to the facility the following autumn.