Batson-Cook to Construct $85M National Infantry Museum

The National Infantry Foundation named Batson-Cook of West Point, Ga., as construction manager for the $85 million National Infantry Museum and Heritage Park in Columbus. Batson-Cook will construct the 170,000-sq.-ft. museum, which will sit adjacent to Fort Benning, the home of the United States Army Infantry, to provide a venue to tell the story of the Infantry soldier.

Visitors will begin their journey through the museum along "The Last 100 Yards," a gently inclining ramp featuring several famous Infantry battles dating back to Revolutionary times. The central gallery will serve as both museum and reception hall. It will accommodate up to 500 seated guests and will be accented by a glass-enclosed "Hall of Valor."

Six portals will be constructed off of the main gallery to display distinct eras in the infantry history. These galleries, ranging from 2,763 to 5,602 sq. ft., will feature the history of the Infantry from Colonial times to the present. In addition, Batson-Cook will build a home to honor the women and children, parents and siblings of those who are called to serve.

Contract Volume Down 19 Percent in September

Georgia construction contract activity dropped by 19 percent in September as all three building types posted declines, compared to the same period of a year ago, McGraw-Hill Construction reported. The value of contracts signed during September for future construction totaled nearly $2 billion, down from the $2.4 billion reported last September.

Residential construction declined by 15 percent to a monthly total of about $1.2 billion, down from the nearly $1.4 billion reported last September. Nonresidential dropped the most, 38 percent, to tally just $408.2 million for the month. The value of nonbuilding contracts also declined, by 4 percent, for a monthly total of nearly $397.2 million.

Despite the big drop, for the year-to-date Georgia contract activity is still 3 percent ahead of 2005's pace, with roughly $21.2 billion in new contracts. The nonresidential category is 6 percent behind the first nine months of 2005, with a roughly $5 billion total. The residential market, valued at about $13 billion to date, is 4 percent ahead of 2005. And the nonbuilding sector is well ahead of the '05 pace, by about 19 percent, for a total of roughly $3.2 billion.

R.J. Griffin Starts on $115M ViewPoint Condo

R.J. Griffin & Co. has started construction of the $115 million ViewPoint condominium in Atlanta, McGraw-Hill Construction's Network reported. Work began in September for the project, which includes 43- and 30-story residential towers. The Preston Partnership of Atlanta is the owner.

Sheraton Colony Square Being Converted to W Hotel

Anglo Irish Bank announced it has finalized $71.4 million in financing for the acquisition and renovation of the Sheraton Colony Square in Atlanta. Noble Investment Group and its joint venture partner AEW Capital Management acquired the hotel on behalf of AEW Partners V. The hotel will be completely renovated over the next 12 months and will reopen as a W Hotel in late 2007. The 28-story, 462-room hotel is located at the center of Midtown Atlanta at the corner of Peachtree and 14th Streets.