Voters Pave the Way for Transportation Projects

Voters in four counties near Washington, D.C., approved nearly $400 million in transportation bonds, including significant funding for Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority projects.

Mid-Atlantic Voters Approve $400 Million in Transportation Bonds

Voters in four counties in Virginia and Maryland approved approximately $400 million in transportation bonds during the November elections. Nearly $128.5 million will go to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Pictured here is Metro's Blue Line extension to Largo, Md., during its construction in 2004.

WASHINGTON, DC - Transportation construction in Virginia and Maryland got a big boost from voters during the November elections. Nearly $400 million in transportation-related bond initiatives were approved by voters in Prince George's County, Md., Arlington County, Va., Fairfax County, Va., and Chesterfield County, Va.

Alison Premo-Black, executive director of Metropolitan Washington Road & Transportation Builders Association, said that although several transportation i ssues did not pass in the D.C. area in 2003, voters overwhelmingly showed their demand for improved transportation at the polls in November. The ballot measures all passed with more that 75 percent approval.

"This sends a message that constituents are concerned about transportation on the local level and shows that the issue is not going away," Premo-Black said.

Fairfax County, Va., voters approved more than $300 million worth of bonds for a variety of projects, including road construction and improvements. An estimated $110 million of the bonds will go to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority for infrastructure renewal, improved system access and system expansion. Another $50 million will be used for intersection improvements, road widenings, and other projects. The federal government will match the $50 million in funding.

Neighboring Arlington County, Va., saw voters approve a general obligation bond issue of $35.9 million for a variety of projects, including transportation initiatives. Nearly $18.5 million of that amount will go to Metro. Another $10.2 million will fund other transportation initiatives.

In Prince George's County, Md., voters approved a bond issue not to exceed $55.9 million for public works and transportation facilities projects, including work on roads and bridges.

Voters in Chesterfield County, Va., decided on five separate ballot questions, issuing bonds worth a total of $341.7 million. The money authorized would be used for a variety of projects, including road improvements.

Forrester Construction Lands $500 Million Naval Contract

ROCKVILLE, MD - Forrester Construction of Rockville, Md., was recently awarded a five-year $500 million multiple award construction contract with the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Washington. Forrester was one of seven firms selected in a national competition. The deal marks the second time Forrester has been selected by NFEC Washington for such a contract.

Task orders under the contract will include repair, renovations, new construction and alterations to existing facilities of various types. The work will be performed at naval facilities in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Skanska Named CM for Johns Hopkins Clinical Building

BALTIMORE, MD - Skanska USA Building of Rockville, Md., was recently awarded the preconstruction service assignment for the new clinical building project for The Johns Hopkins Hospital at the Johns Hopkins Medicine campus in Baltimore, Md.

The 1.3 million-sq.-ft. building will consist of a single structure with two distinct building programs - the Cardiovascular & Critical Care Tower and the Children's & Maternal Hospital. In addition, a new entry court and a below grade parking garage will be constructed. The project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2008.

The Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership is the architect-of-record and is also the design architect for the Children's & Maternal Hospital portion of the project. Perkins & Will is the design architect for the Cardiovascular & Critical Care Tower.

Skanska is teamed with joint venture partner Smoot Construction of Washington, D.C., on the project. Skanska's share will be 75 percent and Smoot's share will be 25 percent.

Grunley Construction Awarded $28 Million in New Contracts

ROCKVILLE, MD - Grunley Construction of Rockville, Md., recently added $28 million in new construction contracts to its project list. The three separate contracts are all with government clients.

A $19.8 million design-build project at Fort Meade, Md., involves the design and construction of 159,000-sq.-ft. of tenant spaces. The project scope includes asbestos abatement, demolition, and construction of workrooms, conference rooms, office space and library space. Construction is scheduled to begin September 2005.

A $7.1 million mail center project for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C., will include the renovation of the old library building and the construction of a new loading dock at the USDA South Building. The building will be upgraded to meet ADA barrier-free accessibility requirements and it is designed to achieve LEED certification.

A $1.1 million contract for the Department of the Air Force involved the installation of fire protection systems in five buildings at Bolling AFB in Washington, D.C.

Burns Engineering Acquires Heery Transportation Group

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Burns Engineering of Philadelphia, Pa., recently acquired Heery Transportation Group from Atlanta-based Heery International. The group, formerly known as Electrack, provides engineering and construction management services for electric traction power and overhead contact systems on light rail, monorail, people-mover and heavy rail systems.

Since its inception in 1972, the group has been involved in nearly half of all railway electrification projects in the United States.

The group will be integrated into Burns Engineering's transit division, but the office will continue to be located in Landover, Md. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

L.F. Driscoll Begins Three Philly-Area Projects

BALA CYNWYD, PA - L.F. Driscoll of Bala Cynwyd, Pa., recently broke ground on three new construction projects near Philadelphia.

The company is renovating the Ruth and Raymond G. Perelman Building in Philadelphia and building a 60,000-sq.-ft. addition to the facility. The project will create new gallery space, workrooms, study areas and offices for the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

L.F. Driscoll is also building a four-story office building at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The 84,000-sq.-ft. building is design to achieve LEED certification.

The company broke ground on a new project for the Patrinely Group at the Princeton Corporate Campus in Princeton, N.J. The 167,000-sq.-ft. project is an addition to the Forrestal Center, a Princeton University-sponsored business park.

Donohoe Breaks Ground on Hilton Garden Inn Tysons Corner

VIENNA, VA - Donohoe Construction of Washington, D.C., recently broke ground for the construction of the Hilton Garden Inn Tysons Corner in Vienna, Va.

The nine-story hotel will include 149 guestrooms with two levels of underground parking. Hotel amenities will include 1,500-sq.-ft. of meeting space, an indoor pool, a hotel lounge, a restaurant, a business center and fitness facilities.

Donohoe Development Company is developing the project for the hotel's owner, Tysons Hotel Investors. BBGM is the architect.

Shakespeare Theatre, BAC Join Forces on New F Street Building

The Shakespeare Theatre's Sidney Harman Hall and the headquarters for the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers will share space at 620 F Street NW in Washington, D.C. The project, pictured in this rendering by SmithGroup, broke ground in October.

WASHINGTON, DC - The Shakespeare Theatre and the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers recently announced a joint venture to develop the site at 620 F Street NW in Washington, D.C. The mixed-use development will house the headquarters for BAC and the new 800-seat Sidney Harman Hall, home of The Shakespeare Theatre.

Shortly after the announcement, ground was broken on the project. The BAC headquarters is scheduled for completion in December 2006 and Sidney Harman Hall in spring 2007.

BAC will occupy the top six floors of the 11-story office building. BAC's projected cost on the 120,000-sq.-ft. space is $61 million. The Shakespeare Theatre's $77.9 million facility will occupy the remaining ground level floors.

The building's architect is SmithGroup of Washington, D.C. The architect on the Sidney Harman Hall is Diamond and Schmitt of Toronto, Canada. Clark Construction of Washington, D.C., is the general contractor.

Seefried Starts Two Warehouse Projects in Anne Arundel

ANNE ARUNDEL, MD - Seefried Properties of Alexandria, Va., recently broke ground on two new warehouse facilities at Cabot Commerce Center in Anne Arundel County. Atlanta-based conlan, Co. is the general contractor. The 129,000-sq.-ft. and 139,000-sq.-ft. complexes are scheduled for completion in May 2005.

Seefreid, which is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., is expanding its reach in the area with the new projects. The company developed a 400,000-sq.-ft. warehouse in Dulles, Va., in 2000, which has been at 100 percent occupancy for more than two years.

Steve Cloud, regional director for Seefried, said the company sees an improving market for warehouses and is looking at additional sites in the region.

Bovis Lend Lease Completes Cancer Institute, Begins Fit-Out

BALTIMORE, MD - Bovis Lend Lease of Bethesda, Md., recently completed preconstruction and construction management services for the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Cancer Institute at Franklin Square Hospital, the only one of its kind in Eastern Baltimore County. The cancer institute provides education and prevention services, research, diagnostic treatment and support services for oncology patients.

The new three-story, $11.5 million building includes high-end finishes in the treatment areas, millwork, and a natural stone hearth and fireplace in the reception area.

In addition, Franklin Square Hospital Center has selected Bovis Lend Lease for the third floor fit-out of the Medical Surgical Specialty Center. Construction was scheduled to begin in November.

Inova Merger Plan Boosts Loudoun Healthcare Development

LEESBURG, VA - Healthcare facility development in Loudoun County, Va., could get a nice shot in the arm, pending the approval of a merger between Loudoun Healthcare and Inova Health System. The deal calls for Inova to invest $200 million in Loudoun Healthcare, a majority of which would go toward facilities.

The plan calls for enhancements to Loudoun Healthcare's Lansdowne campus, including the construction of a four-story patient tower. The Western Loudoun Medical Center would also be expanded and four new community health centers would be built in the county. The two companies also expressed a commitment to build a new community hospital on the Route 50 corridor when needed.

Versar Awarded $15 Million U.S. Army Contract

SPRINGFIELD, VA - Versar of Springfield, Va., was recently awarded a five-year $15 million indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract with the Norfolk district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The scope of the work in the contract includes planning, engineering, environmental services, and cultural/archeological studies.

Nason Completes Maryland Army National Guard Project

SALISBURY, MD - Nason Construction of Salisbury, Md., recently completed the new Organizational Maintenance Shop at the Salisbury Armory. The $2.8 million project was procured through the Maryland Department of General Services.

The 11,000-sq.-ft. facility accommodates a 5,000-sq.-ft. vehicle maintenance garage with four oversized service bays and an eight-ton overhead crane, which will be utilized to lift truck engines and other heavy equipment around the shop. Adjacent to the shop are administrative office totaling 6,000-sq.-ft.

Nason Construction partnered with architect Salisbury, Md. architect Davis, Bowen and Friedel on the project.