Industry News

The Alabama Robotics Technology Park opened the $8.3 million Advanced Research and Technology Center in August of 2011 in Decatur, Ala. Created in partnership with Calhoun Community College, the 30,000-sf facility provides robotics research, development, and testing space. General contractor EMJ Corporation began building the facility in June of 2010. The project represents the second phase of construction at the site, which also houses the 68,000-sf Robotic Maintenance and Training Center.

The Naval Undersea Warfare Center opened the $11 million Maritime Subsurface Sensor Operations Laboratory in August of 2011. Construction began on the single-story, 40,000-sf facility in July of 2009. The secure laboratory provides space for the testing, maintenance, and refurbishment of sonar arrays.

SHI International opened its 420,000-sf cloud computing data center and world headquarters in July of 2011. The facility is located in Somerset, N.J., in an existing building that underwent extensive renovations.

Novo Nordisk will invest $215 million to create its new U.S. headquarters in an existing 770,000-sf facility in Plainsboro, N.J. The building is located in the Princeton Forrestal Center and will house approximately 1,500 employees. Construction will begin in September of 2011 with occupancy expected in spring of 2013. The project team includes architect of record HOK, exterior design architect Granum A/I, and developers LCOR, Ivy Equities, and Intercontinental Real Estate Corp.

The Naval Facilities Engineering Command has awarded Suffolk Construction Company a $20 million contract to build a research and development facility in Newport, Mass. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport will accommodate the creation, testing, and repair of electromagnetic submarine sensors. The facility will include labs, offices, administrative space, and a five-story periscope tower. Completion is expected in August of 2013.