Industry News

Biogen is preparing to occupy a $175 million, 250,000-sf manufacturing facility in Research Triangle Park. It is the Cambridge, Mass.-based biotech giant's second building in RTP and will house 75 additional employees. Biotech plans to eventually occupy a total of 5 buildings in the Triangle.

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center is consolidating its four San Jose service sites into a new 230,000-sf, $93.8 million facility. Due to open in 2005, the new facility will accommodate up to 200,000 patient visits yearly, and house the relocation of over 28 medical services. Demolition of an existing administration building on site will precede construction. An additional $21 million, 50,000-sf outpatient facility on the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds will replace the existing 10,500-sf building. It is scheduled to open in 2003.

The microelectronics division of Lucent Technologies Inc. has leased 62,000 sf in North Austin. Occupying a majority of the available 76,000 sf in Building 6 at Braker Center IV, the facility will provide space for projected growth and additional personnel in the network processors microelectronics group. Based in Murray Hill, N.J., Lucent's Austin space will include large hardware and software labs, a fitness center, game room, and a cafeteria.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology has contracted Parsons Brinckerhoff as project manager for a $50 million utilities upgrade. The Cambridge-based firm will also provide resident engineering and inspection services.

Reston Hospital Center is planning a three story addition, expanding the facility by 100,000 sf. Housing the maternity ward as well as administrative and community education departments, the addition will cost approximately $21.5 million. A 5,000-sf expansion of the special procedures area and a new 439-space parking garage will also begin construction in March. State approval is pending on another addition of 2 floors to the new maternity unit, increasing the bed space by 60 and providing emergency and radiology facilities.