Construction: Project News, November/December 2010

Construction project news around the state in November/December 2010:

D.L. Withers General Contractor at McCormick Railroad Park

Construction of a 10,000 SF, $2.1M exhibit building at McCormick Stillman Railroad Park on the SEC of Indian Bend and Scottsdale roads is nearing completion. The new building is adjacent to the parking lot and within close proximity to historic depots and restored railroad cars. Building materials include exposed rock and steel structural elements. Also, a recycled decking material similar to wood has been added to create a platform for the building. The project is designed to meet City of Scottsdale green standards for LEED Gold certification. D.L. Withers Construction is the general contractor; Holly Street Studio is the architect.

Pinal Power to Build ‘Green’ Electricity Facility

Pinal Power plans to build a facility in the City of Maricopa that will generate 30 megawatts of electric power fueled by landscape and agricultural waste. To construct the facility, Pinal Power will make a $92M capital investment, creating up to 120 construction jobs from mid-2011 through 2012. The facility will be located along the Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway, to the west of the existing Pinal Energy Ethanol Plant. Western Bio-Energy is the developer of the project, which is fully capitalized with an estimated timeline that includes permitting and development planning through the end of 2010.

Sundt, DWL Complete Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Expansion

Phase I of terminal expansion at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport was completed in November, with Sundt Construction as general contractor and DWL the architect. The $8.9M, 30,000 SF project included expanding the airport’s passenger terminal by an additional two gates; adding commercial space (one gift shop and two cafes); relocating rental car counters and baggage claim; and expanding the post-security outdoor courtyard.

Hensel Phelps/ZGF Awarded Arizona Cancer Center Project

Design-build services were awarded to Hensel Phelps Construction Co. and ZGF Architects for the 249,000 SF Arizona Cancer Center on the University of Arizona’s Phoenix Biomedical Campus. The Arizona Cancer Center will house medical offices and cancer treatment facilities. Hensel Phelps also was awarded the Military Medical Emergency Simulation Training Suites tenant improvement at the Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Campus.

Weitz Co. Updates Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa

The Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa in Phoenix is undergoing a multimillion dollar facelift. JDM Partners, led by sports executive Jerry Colangelo, purchased the historic resort in December. The project is slated for completion by late 2010. Project highlights include a new entryway; a new main pool with separate adult and kids zones, two waterslides and play features; an outdoor plaza featuring dining and entertainment areas; an indoor/outdoor bar; and new event venues. Architect is Peterson Architecture and Associates; contractor is the Weitz Co. Jim Smith led the design team as a consultant.

$1.5M Construction Fix Up For Tucson Retail Center

Bear Canyon Shopping Center (above) in Tucson is undergoing a $1.5M exterior remodel project, the first renovation since it was built in 1983, at the NWC of Tanque Verde Rd. and Catalina Highway. The renovation includes a redesign of the property’s façade and interior improvements for a new Goodwill Super Store, which leased 14,765 SF within the center. General contractor is Division II Construction; architectural firms are SBBL and Architectural Design Group. Completion: 4Q 2010.

Spring Training Facility Opening in Three Months

Construction of the new spring training facility for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies is rolling along, as more than 97,000 SF of sod was installed at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Opening date of the 140-acre site is scheduled for Feb. 1, 2011. The facility is at the Loop 101 and Indian Bend Rd. HKS Sports & Entertainment Group is the designer and Mortenson Construction is the general contractor. Subcontractors include Parsons Electric, Tri-City Mechanical, Trainor Glass, T-Pac, Valley Crest Landscaping and Space Con.

Homeland Security Building in Sells Remodeled, Expanded to 16,701 SF

Davis Enterprises and Indianola Partners have been awarded the General Services Administration lease for the Department of Homeland Security building in Sells. The existing 5,301 SF building is being remodeled and expanded to 16,701 SF for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Davis Enterprises negotiated a long-term ground lease with the Tohono O’odham Nation to develop the office building. The project will be completed in early 2011.

McShane Completing SCF Arizona TI Project

McShane Construction Co. is completing an 18,000 SF office and lobby improvement (above) of SCF Arizona’s existing office space and building common areas. The project, at 3030 N. 3rd St., Phoenix, includes updates to the first-floor office suite. The new Class A tenant space will include five private offices, two conference rooms, open work stations, four storage rooms, a kitchen/break room area, a mail distribution area, one mother’s room, one resting room, and a dedicated lobby/reception space with curved walls and floating panels. McShane is also renovating the building’s 4-story atrium lobby. Work is expected to be complete by 4Q 2010. MRT Design provided architectural services.

CONSTRUCTION P & Z

City of Phoenix

The City of Phoenix Development Services Department began money-saving incentives to promote “green” construction in residential and commercial buildings on Oct. 1. The Green Building Incentives Program, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, offers reduced permit fees applicable to small- and large-scale improvement projects for the installation of energy efficient equipment, including Energy Star water heaters, solar panels, insulation, rainwater harvesting, HVAC, and more. A portion of the grant will fund the creation of a voluntary Green Building Code to be completed late 2011. For more information, visit phoenix.gov/devserv or call (602) 262-7811.

Maricopa County

Maricopa County has been in the public process of updating some of the 2009 building codes and fee schedule. These updates took effect Oct. 1. For more information, contact Tom Ewers, Head Building Official at (602) 506-7145.