Contractors Land Additional $1 Billion in BRAC Work

Clark and Balfour Beatty win $641 million job with Naval Facilities Engineering Command, while Hensel-Phelps signs on for $370 million Corp of Engineers project.

BRAC Leads to $1 Billion in Contracts

Hensel-Phelps Construction was awarded a $370 million contract to build a new Defense Information Systems Agency headquarters at Fort George Meade, Md. The design-build contract calls for a 1-million-sq-ft multi-story campus facility. Ground was broken on April 16 and is expected to complete in March 2011.

BETHESDA, MD – The federal Base Realignment and Closure program continues to dole out major contracts with more than $1 billion in work awarded this spring. In March, the Naval Facilities Engineering Command awarded a $641.4 million design and construction contract to build the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. A joint venture of Bethesda-based Clark Construction and Fairfax, Va.-based Balfour Beatty Construction won the contract. NAVFAC will oversee the planning and construction of the new center, which merges the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda with the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., which is scheduled for closure under BRAC. The center is required to be fully operational by Sept. 15, 2011.

The center will house all of the tertiary medical services that are currently at Walter Reed. Current plans call for 690,000-sq-ft of new construction, including inpatient and out patient facilities, as well as 260,000-sq-ft of renovations. The center is planned to house approximately 345 beds with a full range of intensive and complex specialty, and subspecialty medical services, including facilities for the most seriously war injured. New circulation pathways, utility tunnels and a parking structure are also included in the plans. Supporting facilities to be built under a separate contract include non-clinical and “Warrior Transition” administrative spaces, barracks, a gymnasium and additional parking.

The Walter Reed project was announced days after the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers said it inked a $370 million contract with Hensel-Phelps Construction of Chantilly to build a new Defense Information Systems Agency headquarters at Fort George Meade, Md. The design-build contract calls for a 1-million-sq-ft multi-story campus facility that includes administrative spaces and a shared IT duct bank. A joint venture of HSMM of Washington and HOK of Washington will share design and engineering duties. Ground was broken on April 16. The project, which has a total program value of $441.7 million, is expected to complete in March 2011.

The headquarters complex, which is being constructed on a 95-acre site, will consolidate the operations of approximately 4,000 DISA employees who presently work in a number of locations in northern Virginia and elsewhere in the United States, as well as other tenants.

Developer Proposes 1,500-ft Tower in Philly

PHILADELPHIA – Before the champagne has gone flat from celebrations over Center City Philadelphia’s new skyline king, the Comcast Center, developers have proposed a new project that would dwarf the 975-ft-tall tower. Philly-based Walnut Street Capital is planning to develop a 63-story, 1,500-ft tall building that would not only dominate the Philly skyline—it would be taller than New York’s Empire State Building.

The $800 million, 2.2 million-sq-ft skyscraper, dubbed the American Commerce Center, would house primarily office space along with 26 stories of hotel and up to 6 stories of retail with street-level access. The project would also include several public gardens and could feature a movie theater. The tower portion would reach 1,210 feet in the air, topped by a nearly 300-ft spire.

Kohn Pedersen Fox is designing the building, which could aim for a LEED gold certification. The proposed 1.5-acre site at 18th and Arch streets is currently a parking lot. Plans are on-going and no schedule has been announced.

Jacobs Joins Forensics Lab Team

WASHINGTON, DC – Jacobs Engineering has joined the team developing the new $218 million District of Columbia Consolidated Forensics Laboratory. The Pasadena, Calif.-based company won an IDIQ contract with the District’s Office of Property Management in February to support project development and construction management of the project.

The 240,000 sq-ft facility, which is designed by HOK of Washington, went into design development in December. Bid-ready design documents are scheduled to complete this summer with a construction contract awarded in early 2009. Construction is expected to complete in summer 2011.

The facility will put the D.C. public health lab, the chief medical examiner and the police department’s crime lab all under one roof. The building is aiming for LEED gold certification.

Jacobs' services will include project planning, scheduling, design review, estimating and cost control, design and construction contract administration, record keeping and reporting, construction quality assurance, and commissioning and occupancy management.

The contract includes a 35% Local Small Disadvantaged Business Enterprise set-aside agreement. Motir Services of Washington, an LSDBE firm, is partnering with Jacobs to deliver these services.

Constitution Square Moves Ahead

Constitution Square in Washington, D.C.’s NoMa district got underway in April. The 1.6 million sq-ft first phase of the development will include Two Constitution Square with 589,000 sq ft of Class A office space.

WASHINGTON, DC – Work on Constitution Square in Washington, D.C.’s NoMa district got underway in April. Developer StonebridgeCarras of Bethesda, Md., held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the 1.6 million-sq-ft first phase of the development. The project, located adjacent to the New York Avenue Metro station will include One Constitution Square with 340,000 sq ft of speculative office; Two Constitution Square with 589,000 sq ft of Class A office space; a 50,000-sq-ft Harris Teeter grocery store and 30,000 sq ft of additional retail; a 440-unit apartment building; and a 204-key Hilton Garden Inn. The project, which was designed by HOK of Washington, is expected to deliver in 2010.

Buccini/Pollin Eyes $500 Million in Chester Projects

CHESTER, PA – With a Major League Soccer franchise in the works, Buccini/Pollin Group is looking to kick more than $500 million in development into gear along the Chester, Pa., waterfront over the next five years.

The Conshohocken, Pa., developer plans to deliver 225 apartment units, 42,000 sq ft of retail space including an 8,000-sq-ft restaurant, 435,000 sq ft of new office space, a 200,000 sq ft convention center and 180 town homes. Additional work on the 70-acre site includes structured parking with 1,350 spaces, a community marina and greenways. Construction will begin this fall.

The news came on the heels of an announcement by Major League Soccer that Philadelphia has been awarded the league's 16th franchise. The new team, which is backed by an investor group that includes the founding partners of The Buccini/Pollin Group, plans to move into a 20,000-seat waterfront stadium and entertainment complex adjacent to the commercial and residential elements of the mixed-use project.

Buccini/Pollin’s plans follow the renovation of a former power plant in Chester into an office development called The Wharf at Rivertown. The area is also home to the new Harrah’s Chester Casino.

Oak Contracting Manages Three New Maryland School Projects

TOWSON, MD – Oak Contracting of Towson, Md., is moving forward with three new Maryland school projects. Site work for the new Edgewood High School and Deerfield Elementary School in Harford County began in April, where Oak Contracting is serving as construction manager. The projects, designed by Grimm + Parker Architects, are valued at $80 million combined. Building construction will start later this summer and will be completed in 2010.

Both replacement schools are being built adjacent to existing schools. Work includes a new duct bank to be installed this summer. Existing utilities will be relocated and a storm water management system will be installed. The high school will also receive approximately 1,500 geo-piers to support the new three story structure. Once the new buildings are occupied, the existing high school and elementary school will be removed and athletic fields restored. The entire project will be completed by mid 2011.

Oak Contracting has also been selected as construction manager for the $5.2 million additions at Elkridge Elementary School. These additions mark Oak's 60th K-12 project as construction manager since completing the original construction on Elkridge Elementary in 1992. George Vaeth Associates, Inc. is the architect of record.

Suffolk Gains Momentum in Mid-Atlantic

FALLS CHURCH, VA—Suffolk Construction is gaining a foothold in the Mid-Atlantic thanks to some recent hospitality projects. The Boston-based company, which opened an office in Falls Church, Va., last year, was recently awarded a contract to build the $25 million Sheraton Dulles South project in Chantilly, Va. Suffolk broke ground on the 243-room hotel in April. The 167,000-sq-ft, five-story hotel was designed by NBJ Architecture of Glen Allen, Va. Completion is expected in summer 2009.

The project is the second hotel awarded to the company in the past year. Suffolk is also building the six-story 134-room Hotel Sierra in Richmond, Va. The new Suffolk office is being led by former HITT Contracting executive, Reg Arnold. Arnold will tap his local knowledge to land clients while tapping Suffolk’s national partners as well, says Eric Garner, senior project manager at Suffolk. Although the company has recently landed hospitality work, it is also looking at commercial, mixed-use and government business, Garner says.

Gilbane Breaks Ground on Penn State Law School

Gilbane Building of Philadelphia has broken ground on Pennsylvania State University’s new $50 million 94,000 sq ft Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, Pa.

CARLISLE, PA – Gilbane Building of Philadelphia has broken ground on Pennsylvania State University’s new $50 million Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, Pa. The renovation and construction project is part of Pennsylvania State’s $110 million plan for new, completely interconnected, dual law school facilities on its Carlisle and University Park campuses. The project involves a new addition constructed between the existing Trickett Hall and a 1985 addition. At more than 94,000 sq ft, the new School of Law will feature ceremonial courtrooms, legislative hearing rooms, an auditorium, lecture halls, a library featuring reading rooms, state-of-the-art classrooms and instructional spaces, common and public spaces, as well as exterior gathering areas. The facility will also incorporate advanced technology and is seeking LEED certification.

Perkins+Will to Design Multiple Children’s National Medical Center Projects

WASHINGTON, DC—Perkins+Will of Washington has been awarded several projects by Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, including an 11,000 sq-ft cardiology unit. In addition, the firm will be involved in ten projects with CNMC as outlined by a two-year term contract. Current projects include an Inpatient Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit; a Vivarium expansion; a Fitness Center; a Gastroenterology Clinic; an Emergency Department Radiology Imaging project; and, a 40,000-sq-ft medical office project.

BE&K to Break Ground on Westmoreland House

The BE&K Building Group in Vienna, Va., will break ground on the North Bethesda Center’s Westmoreland House this fall. The company is currently in preconstruction on the $71.5 million high-rise residential tower and its associated parking facility.

BETHESDA, MD—The BE&K Building Group in Vienna, Va., is gearing up to break ground on the North Bethesda Center’s Westmoreland House. The company is currently in preconstruction on the $71.5 million high-rise residential tower and its associated parking facility. The owner is LCOR of Bethesda. The architect is WDG of Washington. Ground breaking is projected for fall with anticipated completion in fall 2010.

The 19-story, 351,000 sq-ft Westmoreland House will feature 323 units and be served by a 140,000 sq-ft two-level below-grade parking garage. Westmoreland House is the second of four high-rises in a phased residential complex known as Bethesda Center. Shared amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, private terrace, amphitheater and community green.

Whiting-Turner Starts Bear Elementary School

BEAR, DE—Whiting-Turner Contracting Co. of Newark, Del., has broken ground on the new Porter Road Elementary School in Bear, Del. The $22 million 75,000-sq-ft project will house 840 students. Buck Simpers Architect + Associates of Wilmington is the architect. Completion is expected by June 2009.

Grunley Wins Reed School, Westover Library Project

ARLINGTON, VA— Arlington Public Schools recently awarded Grunley Construction of Rockville, Md., a $17.2 million contract on the 61,000 sq-ft Reed School/Westover Library project in Arlington, Va. The scope includes both renovations and major new additions to the existing Walter Reed School. The existing structure consists of the original building constructed in 1938 and numerous additions constructed in the 1940s, 1960s and 1990s. Grunley will be selectively separating the original 1938 building and then demolishing all of the additions. The existing building facade will be preserved and restored. New additions totaling nearly 55,000 sq ft will be constructed to better suit the overall appearance of the building. The mechanical and electrical systems will be replaced throughout. The scope also involves extensive earthwork, site utilities, landscaping and hardscaping. The facility will house Arlington Public School programs and the new Westover Library. It will aim for LEED silver certification. Demolition of the existing additions and site mobilization are underway. Schedule duration is approximately 16 months.

SIGAL Construction Awarded Reagan National Parking Expansion

ARLINGTON, VA—SIGAL Construction of Arlington, Va., has been selected to perform a 500,000-sq-ft addition to the parking structures at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington. The renovation consists of new parking decks as well as the extension of the existing elevator and stair towers. The project is an occupied renovation, and will be built over the course of five phases. The structure of the garage is post-tensioned, cast-in-place concrete. Landscaping, utility work, and seismic bracing to the existing garage structure is also included in the project. The project team includes Girard Engineering, Urban Engineers and Ammann & Whitney.

Wohlsen Breaks Ground on Kirkwood Library

WILMINGTON, DE—Wohlsen Construction of New Castle, Del., has broken ground on the new Kirkwood Branch Library in Wilmington, Del. The new 22,500 sq-ft facility will provide room for expanded collections and provide designated areas for children and young adults. The main reading room will be covered in a cedar sun shade, permitting library patrons a view outside, while controlling solar gain and harvesting daylight. Additional sustainable design elements include the use of recyclable carpet tiles and low water-use plumbing fixtures. iKon 5/Studio JAED is the architectural team. The library is scheduled to open in the summer of 2009.