Governor Approves Civic Plaza Funding

Gov. Janet Napolitano recently signed the Civic Plaza bill, authorizing the state to underwrite half of the cost of the planned $600 million expansion of Phoenix's Civic Plaza Convention Center. The Phoenix city council had already approved funding for the first $300 million. Leo A Daly is the prime and managing architect for the expansion, which will also include the architectural services of HOK Venue.

The expansion of the complex includes the renovation of Symphony Hall, a new meeting and conference facility on the Symphony Terrace, the replacement of the existing north convention center and the renovation of the interior of the existing south convention center. The project, the largest ever awarded by the City of Phoenix, will more than triple the square footage, and should commence construction by 2004.

Light Rail Moves Closer to Reality

The Valley's proposed light rail system moved one step closer to reality after the Federal Transit Administration gave approval for the project to advance to the final design stage of the - a decision project officials say makes federal funding approval a virtual lock.

The cost of the 20-mile starter segment of the light rail line (Central Phoenix/East Valley Light Rail Transit Project) is $1.2 billion in inflationary dollars. Approximately half the funding for the project will come from the participating cities and half through federal funding.

The approval keeps the project on schedule to begin construction by this time next year and open in late 2006. The project is not eligible for a FFGA until much of the design work is completed. Officials anticipate receiving the agreement in late spring 2004, shortly before construction begins.

The decision allows project designers to finalize the construction plans during the coming year, begin utility relocation and request early approval to begin construction and purchase light rail vehicles and construction materials. Project officials estimate that design and engineering, construction and construction equipment is expected to add nearly $150 million to the local economy, and provide hundreds of local jobs, during the coming year.

Firm Wins Rio Salado Remidation Work

Stronghold Engineering, Inc., has won a $10M Environmental Restoration Project from the Los Angeles District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the environmental remediation of the Rio Salado (Salt River) in Phoenix.

The project calls for Stronghold to perform extensive site grading and earthwork, remediation, environmental restoration of wetland and riparian habitats, and revegitation. It also involves development of a water distribution system, maintenance roads, public access improvements and gateway features. Stronghold has completed other similar phases of work at Rio Salado since construction started in 2001.

Summit to Construct Birthing Suites

Summit Builders has been awarded the preconstruction and construction contract for the Scottsdale Healthcare Family Birthing Suites project located at their Osborn Campus. The project consists of a 27,291-sq.- ft. renovation of the existing outpatient surgery center into the new Family Birthing Suites Center, including four new labor-deliver-recovery-post-partum suites, two labor-delivery-recovery suites, 12 patient rooms, two C-section rooms, a nursery and support services. The project will be on a fast track schedule with completion in late 4th quarter 2003. Orcutt/Winslow Partnership will serve as project architect.

Loop 202 Construction Starts

Construction has begun on a $12 million project to reconstruct the I-10 interchange at Maricopa Road and widen nearby sections of I-10. The Pulice Construction project includes a new bridge to carry Maricopa Road over I-10, reconfiguring the freeway entrance and exit ramps and expanding I-10 from two lanes to three in each direction.
The alignment of Maricopa Road will be adjusted to make it a 90-degree overpass, rather than the existing diagonal design. Completion is estimated during spring 2004.

Manufacturing Facility to Expand

Johnson Carlier Inc. has begun an 111,000-sq.-ft. addition to Landis Plastic's manufacturing facility in Tolleson. The $2.8 million project will help the manufacturer meet the growing demand for injection mold and thermo form plastic containers for consumer goods such as Parkay, Yoplait Yogurt and Philadelphia Cream Cheese.
The architect for the design-build project is Deutsch Associates, with completion scheduled for February 2004.

Johnson Carlier was also awarded the contract for a multi-phase warehouse addition and renovation for Pearce Beverage, distributors of Miller, Coors, Corona and other brands. The first phase will consist of a 63,000-sq.-ft. tilt-up concrete warehouse addition. The second phase encompasses a 10,000-sq.-ft. design-build renovation to the maintenance building, including interior renovations and the addition of a second story mezzanine. Construction of a fueling island and truck wash will complete the final phase by November 2003. Carter Burgess serves as the architect on the project.

Firm Wins Tucson School Projects

C.F. Jordan, L.P., has been awarded a $5.1 million contract to construct improvements at eight Tucson Unified School District schools. The work will consist of upgrading heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems and installing new electrical equipment, and should be completed by next spring.

C.F. Jordan has also been selected to construct La Buena Vida, a gated community of 90 luxury villas in the Los Conchos area of Puerto Penasco, Mexico. Amigos Investment, LLC is the developer of the $40 million project, which will also include a desalinization plant to supply the community's water needs. Anderson Studio is the project architect.