Industry News

The University of California is purchasing a site near Merced for a new $400 million campus. Construction is slated to begin in early 2002 on the first three buildings: a science and engineering facility, a library and technology center, and classroom space for arts, humanities, and social sciences. UC received a grant for $11.4 million to finance purchase of the site, and has budgeted $160 million to begin construction. The new campus will accommodate 31,000 people within the next 2 decades.

Olin College of Engineering has contracted Wayne J. Griffin Electric Inc. to provide electrical systems for phase I of the college's new facilities in Needham. The four campus buildings will feature a state-of-the-art lighting system, energy management technology, a control power distribution plant, and campus fire alarm systems.

Vienna performing arts company Wolf Trap is planning to break ground on its new Center for Education in March. The $9 million, 53,371-sf facility will provide space for Wolf Trap Opera Company rehearsals, a special program hall, a 100-seat distance learning lecture hall, and a conference and multimedia learning center. The building will also house new offices and administrative space.

Heald College consolidated two Contra Costa County locations into a new 66,000-sf Concord campus. The 32-classroom facility opened in February and features a fiber optic data communications network for improved Internet access, as well as some wireless technologies. The campus provides classroom space for 1400 students, a center for faculty and staff, and a cafeteria. Heald also opened a new 58,000-sf Hayward, Calif., campus in summer of 2000.

University of California Davis is developing a new Center for the Arts. Slated for completion in fall of 2002, the facility will house an 1,800-seat performance hall, a studio theater, and a 30,000-sf museum.