Industry News

Virginia Tech may receive $12 million in funding from the proposed state budget to build a biomedical center and establish a biotech research center. The University of Virginia is also targeted in the proposed budget for $2.5 million to convert an abandoned hospital to a technology center at its Wise Campus.

The Scotts Co., headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, has selected three San Diego companies to provide design, construction management, and general contracting services for a new facility in Temecula. Smith Consulting Architects, Gafcon and Keeton Construction Co. began work in November 2000 on Scotts Co’s $22-million, 410,000-sf office/manufacturing/warehouse facility to produce lawn seed and fertilizer spreaders. The company is a leading supplier of consumer gardening products.

CryoLife Inc. plans to begin construction in January on a new 98,268-sf build-to-suit facility to house its growing manufacturing, warehouse and office functions adjacent to the company's existing headquarters in Kennesaw at Barrett Business Park. Move-in is anticipated in March 2001. CryoLife preserves living human tissue and manufactures heart valves and surgical adhesives.

Siemens Electromechanical Components Inc. opened a new three-story, 100,000-sf headquarters in July at the Westpark Office Center. R&D, customer service reps, and corporate executives are housed at the new facility constructed by Group VI Corp. of Stockbridge.

Hebrew College will relocate its 2,000-student campus from Brookline, Mass., to a 7-acre site in Newton. $26 million of construction is scheduled for completion by 2001, including academic and administrative buildings, a student center and library. A new dormitory will be built at a later date.