Higher Education

Freedom Forum, a Northern Virginia-based nonprofit, is planning a $432-million media museum in Arlington. The original Newseum, which closed earlier this year, will be replaced with a 555,000-sf museum, retail and restaurant complex. Construction and equipment for the Newseum are expected to cost approximately $149.8 million. Designed by Polshek Partnership Architects and Ralph Appelbaum Associates, the facility is slated to begin construction in April of 2003. Completion is expected in 2006.

The Sacramento office of McCarthy Building Companies has completed construction on the $19-million Mary Stuart Rogers Educational Services Gateway Building at California State University, Stanislaus (CSUS) in Turlock. This 130,000-sf student services building and conference center was designed by architect RSK (Rollings Suarez Kuehne Associates) of San Francisco.

San Jose State University (SJSU) is planning Campus Village, a dormitory project providing up to 5,700 student, faculty, and staff beds. The three buildings, ranging from three to fifteen stories with two levels of underground parking, will replace three smaller, older dormitories. SJSU plans to spend $167-million on the facility and is pre-qualifying general contractors for the bidding phase. Construction is slated to begin in January with completion expected in spring of 2005.

Anne Arundel Community College has partnered with the Anne Arundel Community College Foundation to build a 77,700-sf school in the western portion of Anne Arundel county. The four-story facility, accommodating 7,500 to 10,000 students annually, will serve residents and employers of the region. Completion is slated for August 2003, with classes commencing in the fall.

Harvard Medical School is developing a $250-million research facility in Boston for the medical school and collaborative tenants. Built by William A. Berry & Sons, the 430,000-sf facility includes a 196,000-sf parking garage. The project is 35% complete.

Philadelphia-based Comcast Cable will invest $21.5 million in a new technology support center on George Mason University’s Prince William campus at the Innovation @Prince William business park.

Boston's Emerson College recently held a topping off celebration for the Tuttle Center for Performance and Production, the first new facility to be built by the 120-year-old college. Designed by Elkus/Manfredi Architects, the 11-story project is being constructed by Lee Kennedy Co. and is slated for completion in spring of 2003.

The University of San Diego will consolidate the departments of biology, chemistry, physics, and marine sciences in its new 150,000-sf Donald Pearce Shiley Center for Science and Technology.  Housing a greenhouse, an astronomy deck, an aviary, aquariums, and 73 labs, the $46-million facility was funded in part by a $10-million gift from Donald and Darlene Shiley. The Center is currently under construction and is slated for completion in fall of 2003. Laboratory planner for the project is Research Facilities Design of San Diego.

North Carolina State University Veterinary School worked with Flad & Associates recently to complete its master plan. Flad is now working on the construction document phase for a new 100,000-sf cell biology wet lab for the school.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has selected Charlestown-based Design Partnership of Cambridge as architect for the restoration of Murdock Hall on the university's campus in North Adams. The 1894 building will be restored to serve its original purpose as the campus's main academic centerpiece.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill recently worked with Flad & Associates to complete renovation plans for the 60,000-sf Old Dental Building at the School of Dentistry. The 40-year-old facility will house classrooms, research, and new office suites upon completion. Bids are now being solicited for the project.

Due to an allocation of funds from the Texas legislature for university facility renovation and construction, the University of Texas will build a $27.7-million science facility at UT-Arlington, a $32.6-million medical and health sciences center at UT-El Paso, and a $26-million education complex/multipurpose center/library at UT-Pan American. The University of Texas received approximately $380 million in state funding.

Due to an allocation of funds from the Texas legislature for university facility renovation and construction, Texas A&M University will build a $10-million engineering facility on its Galveston campus, develop the Harte Research Center in Corpus Christi, and engage in a $18.7-million renovation of its Tarleton campus mathematics building and library. Texas A&M University received over $173 million in state funds.

Auburn University Walker School of Pharmacy’s master plan is being developed by Flad & Associates.  Flad is also designing a 20,000-sf teaching facility addition for the new Doctor of Pharmacy degree program. The addition will facilitate team-based learning.

Appalachian State University has awarded the Charlotte office of Bovis Lend Lease the $40-million contract to build its new 210,000-sf central library complex in Boone. Consisting of one level below ground and five levels above, the facility will house electronic and traditional information resources and over 800,000 volumes. Included in the project is construction of a 300-car parking garage, renovation of the existing library, and demolition of Whitener Hall.