Industry News

Ludwigshafen, Germany-based BASF plans to expand its Research Triangle Park administration and production facilities by 90,000 sf and renovate 20,000 sf of laboratory space. The German chemical firm is investing $22 million in the project, which will add approximately 100 jobs. BASF currently has 420 employees in 132,000 sf in RTP. By year-end, relocation of employees from a closing crop protection research center in Princeton, N.J., could increase BASF's Triangle workforce to 520.

Progress Energy is planning to lease over 450,000 sf in two new office towers to be developed in downtown Raleigh in order to consolidate operations currently scattered in 250,000 sf across Raleigh. The towers, which may rise as high as 18 to 20 stories each, will be located on a two-acre site adjacent to Progress's current 21-story, 250,000-sf office. Progress, providing only the land and the lease guarantee, has issued a request for proposals to 14 development companies and plans to make a selection in April 2002.

Defense contractor Raytheon is considering the sale of its Lexington, Mass. headquarters due to the 41-year-old facility's expensive operating costs. Raytheon plans to decide by year-end whether to seek another Boston area location or to upgrade its existing headquarters, which include the commercial electronics main office, a research lab, and two buildings housing corporate staff.

Montgomery College in Rockville has selected architectural firm Einhorn Yaffee Prescott to develop a master plan for its Germantown, Rockville, and Takoma Park campuses. The plan will integrate factors such as current land holdings, increased enrollment, and growth options for the fields of science and biotechnology.

Duke University has selected contractors Beacon Skanska and Beers Skanska of Raleigh, N.C., to build the $30-million West Edens Link Dormitories. The 120,000-sf project, designed by Philadelphia-based Kieran Timberlane & Harris, is slated for completion in July of 2002.