McCarthy Starts $115M GSU Research Laboratory

The Atlanta office of McCarthy Building Cos. has started construction of a $115 million science research laboratory at Georgia State University in downtown Atlanta. When completed, the 350,000-sq-ft, 10-story Parker H. Petit Science Center will include laboratories and classrooms in a new University Science Park.

The complex will house teaching and research facilities for nearly 6,000 students pursuing various science and nursing degrees.

McCarthy states the facility is projected to have an $800 million impact on the local economy during its first five years. Petit is an Atlanta philanthropist and local businessman who contributed $5 million to launch the science complex, which also ultimately will include a business incubator.

CUH2A is the architect of the building, which is expected to take two years to build.

Residential Causes 28% Decline in February

After a 39% overall increase in January, the value of Georgia contracts fell 28% in February, compared to the same period of a year ago, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, publisher of Southeast Construction. The total value of February contracts was slightly less than $1.4 billion, down from last February’s $1.9 billion.

In February, only the residential market was negative, however. It fell 48% compared to last February to total roughly $599.2 million. Nonresidential contracts edged up 2% for a total of $531.7 million. Nonbuilding construction which includes streets, highways, bridges and other infrastructure improved by 1% for an approximately $247.6 million total.
For the year-to-date, the value of new Georgia contracts is 34% behind 2007’s early pace, with nearly $2.8 billion in project starts. The residential market is 53% behind the first two months of 2007, with roughly $1.2 billion in new projects so far this year. The nonresidential market is 11% behind last year, with about $1.15 billion in new project starts. The nonbuilding sector is 3% behind ’07, with about $453.1 million in new starts.

Shaw Wins Contract for Atlanta Wastewater Treatment System

The Shaw Group of Baton Rouge, La., announced that its environmental and infrastructure group has been awarded a contract by the DeKalb County, Ga., Department of Watershed Management to provide the design, construction management and project management for a new wastewater interplant storage and conveyance system. The value of the five-year infrastructure services contract is approximately $20 million.

Shaw will design the storage and conveyance system that will join the Snapfinger and Pole Bridge Creek wastewater treatment plants in southern DeKalb County. The system, which will include a 5-mi-long tunnel that is approximately 25 ft in diameter, will allow the transfer of sewage and treated effluent between each plant. The system will also include 50 million gallon-per-day influent lift stations at each of the two plants.

Campus Apartments Developing Grad Student Housing at Emory University

Philadephia-based Campus Apartments announced it has entered into a partnership with Emory University to develop a $27 million graduate student housing complex on university-owned land in Atlanta. The 201-unit facility will include 398 beds.

The project will be on Emory-owned land that is on long-term ground lease to Campus Apartments, which will privately finance, develop and operate the project. The building will consist of one-, two- and three-bedroom rental units. It is scheduled for delivery for the beginning of the 2009 academic year.

Click here for more Georgia News >>