Higher Education

The University of Rhode Island has selected Global Spectrum to manage its new $54 million convocation center and $12 million ice rink. The facility management firm's multiyear contract includes overseeing the entire operation of the URI Convocation Center and ice rink, including staff management, booking, and basketball ticket sales. Designed by HOK Sports of Kansas City, Mo., the 8,000-seat convocation center and 2,500-seat ice rink are slated to begin construction in late 2000 and will open in fall of 2002.

Southwest Texas State University is proposing a $21.7 million, 108,000-sf building to house its growing College of Business Administration. Space is tight in the university's current 58,000-sf facility that is in need of technological updates and new computer equipment. The state legislature has been petitioned for funding approval with hearings beginning in late January, and a decision expected by May or June. Construction could begin in 2003, depending on availability of funds.

The University of Texas engineering and business schools will be expanded and updated, thanks to a $7.3 million donation from Ford Motor Company. The College of Engineering will be partially renovated to create an academic and student center as well as adding two technology learning labs for students and faculty. Ten mechanical engineering labs will be upgraded to accommodate a new curriculum that teaches theory and practical applications simultaneouly. Funds will be divided between the College of Engineering and the McCombs School of Business.

Wartburg College is expanding and renovating Becker Hall of Science which currently houses the department of biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics and physics. The 50,000-sf structure will be renovated to provide office, storage, and classroom facilities. The building currently houses instructional labs, a greenhouse, an animal room, a 100-seat auditorium, computer rooms, and classrooms. The 55,000-sf addition will contain an auditorium, labs, and state-of-the-art technology for flexible classrooms/seminar rooms.

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.

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.

Meredith College, the largest women's college in the Southeast, is planning a new math and science building. The 80,000-sf facility will be designed and built by women-owned companies. Atlanta-based architect BJLAS Architecture will be teaming its affiliated Raleigh office with general contractor Rodgers Construction of Charlotte, N.C.

Southwest Texas State University is breaking ground on a new $42 million, 240,000-sf academic facility this week. The university's Art and Design, and Technology and Physics departments will be housed in the extension. Completion is estimated for 2003.

The University of Washington broke ground on a new $80-million law school building—the William H. Gates Hall—in May 2001. Construction of the 196,000-sf four-story building will begin in September 2001 and is slated for completion in summer of 2003. The facility will include a 10,000-sf reading room with stacks occupying approximately 40,000 sf. The building will also feature a 170-person classroom equipped as a trial court, law clinics, seminar rooms, additional instructional areas, as well as offices for staff, faculty, and graduate students.

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is developing the new Sam and Ann Barshop Center for Longevity and Aging Studies. The Barshops donated $4 million to the Texas Research Park facility, which will provide laboratory space for scientists.

Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center has plans for a comprehensive new cancer center. The $75 million, 257,350-sf outpatient facility will consolidate all existing oncology services. If approved, construction will soon begin on the planned four-story building, with completion estimated for summer of 2003.  

Cornell University of Ithaca, New York, has selected Boston-based Cannon Design to plan two new facilities--a 900-seat wrestling center and the Cornell Boathouse. Replacing an existing facility, the boathouse will accommodate both male and female crew teams.

San Diego State University's (SDSU) Aztec Athletic Center and Hall of Fame was topped out in April by San Diego-based Nielsen Dillingham Builders. Completion of the project is anticipated by summer of 2001. Built on an existing 184,000-sf SDSU site, the $13.67 million project is being funded by donations from the owner of the San Diego Padres. The center will house administration, coaches' offices, a central utility plant, academic, support, and media relations facilities, as well as locker and weight rooms.