Industry News

Carolinas HealthCare System is initiating an expansion and renovation of Carolinas Medical Center-Pineville. The 245,000-sf project includes construction of a 114-bed patient tower, expansion of the maternity center, and the addition of a new surgical suite. 56,000 sf of space in the existing hospital will be renovated. The general contractor for the project is BE&K Building Group, a subsidiary of KBR Inc.

Dow AgroSciences will invest $340 million over the next five years to expand its global headquarters in Indianapolis. The first phase of construction is comprised of a 175,000-sf research and development facility and a 14,000-sf greenhouse. The greenhouse is slated for completion by year-end 2010 and the R&D facility will open in early 2012.

Genentech opened its $400 million pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution complex in Hillsboro, Ore., in April of 2010. The 150,000-sf therapeutics filling and packaging facility will distribute Genentech's biologic cancer drugs.

Pierce College is building the $57 million Center for the Sciences in Woodland Hills, Calif. Slated to open in fall of 2010, the technology-rich facility houses lecture halls and faculty offices for the departments of physics, chemistry, life sciences, nursing, veterinary technology, planetary sciences, and geology. The construction manager for the project is Swinerton Management and Consulting.

The University of Alabama will construct two facilities to complete its science and engineering quad in Huntsville. Site work has begun for the third building, a $43.6 million engineering facility housing research laboratories. The three-story, 208,000-sf project will be built by The Gary C. Wyatt Construction Company of Birmingham. The fourth building will house offices, research labs, and classrooms for the college of engineering. The $70 million, 185,000-sf facility is expected to open in 2013.