COVER STORY, AUGUST 2008

HEALTHCARE AND CIVIC DEVELOPMENT SPOTLIGHT
Healthcare and civic/government endeavors have not faced the same dramatic decrease in development activity that some other property types in the Midwest experienced.
Compiled by Ashley Ball

Heartland Real Estate Business takes a look at a collection of significant municipal and hospital projects currently underway in the region.

KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Kansas City, Missouri
JE Dunn Construction Group

Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts

The $263 million Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, which is scheduled to be complete in June 2010, is being constructed within the newly revitalized Kansas City Live District. JE Dunn Construction Group is building the 286,031-square-foot facility that will house two separate halls for various events. The larger hall will seat 1,800 visitors for opera, ballet and theater events; the second, 1,600-seat hall will accommodate musical concerts. Due to the intricate nature of the building’s interior finishes, the interior construction phase will take up to 1 year to complete. Constructed of steel, concrete and glass, the building will feature a transparent lobby with a four-story atrium. In addition to the concert halls, the project features a four-level parking structure that will accommodate approximately 1,024 cars. BNIM Architecture and Moshe Safdie & Associates are providing architectural services. 

MIAMI VALLEY HOSPITAL TOWER
Dayton, Ohio
Skanska USA Building Inc.

Miami Valley Hospital

The Miami Valley Hospital Tower is a $135 million healthcare development located at One Wyoming Street within the city of Dayton. The new 484,000-square-foot Heart Tower, which is one of the largest construction projects in Dayton’s history, will enable the conversion of double-patient rooms to private rooms within the hospital’s existing facility. A comprehensive heart center will be a major part of the new patient tower, which will feature 180 private patient rooms, a cardiac intervention center and cardiac surgery suites. Additionally, the project will include future capacity for 72 new private patient rooms, a patient/visitor entry lobby, two levels of underground parking with overhead pedestrian connectors and a loading dock.

By creating an open, contemporary environment that will be easy for patients and visitors to navigate, the expansion will change the face of the existing hospital. The joint venture, Skanska Shook, is serving as the construction manager; NBBJ is providing design services for the project. Skanska Shook broke ground in May, with completion slated for late 2010.

THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, NEW RESIDENCE HALL AND DINING FACILITY
Chicago
Gilbane Building Co.

The University Of Chicago, New Residence Hall And Dining Facility

Gilbane Building Company is providing construction services for The University of Chicago’s new 366,000-square-foot residence hall and dining community, which is located at the intersection of 61st Street and Ellis Avenue on the university’s Hyde Park campus. The 800-bed residence hall, which is approximately 35 percent complete, will house single-, double- and apartment-style suites within one high-rise and two mid-rise buildings. A series of wings will be arranged around two private courtyards, which were designed to foster community and create a system of mentoring and support for students. As part of the university’s master plan of capital improvements, the buildings were designed to ensure the campus is integrated into the surrounding community.

Work is also currently underway on the 539-seat dining facility, which will include a 75- to 85-seat café. Although the cost of completion was not disclosed, the project’s limestone rain screen system, which prevents sealants from having to be replaced over time, is expected to save the university $1.2 million in maintenance costs. The last elements of the project will include minor renovations to the existing Burton Judson Building and the dining facility. Completion is tentatively expected for September 2009.

AURORA POLICE HEADQUARTERS AND BRANCH COURT FACILITY
Aurora, Illinois
Leopardo Construction

Aurora Police Headquarters And Branch Court Facility

Hoffman Estates, Ill.-based Leopardo Construction is building the 195,000-square-foot Aurora Police Headquarters and Branch Court Facility located on Indian Trail Road in Aurora. The $70 million project, which is scheduled to be complete in early 2010, will include a three-story police headquarters, branch court facility and 911 center; a 40,000-square-foot training and support building for evidence processing and evidence storage; and a 200,000-square-foot parking deck for fleet services, employees and public parking. Approximately 400 public safety professionals will be housed in the 155,000-square-foot main building. With an environmentally sustainable design, the building is aiming for LEED Gold Certification. 

©2008 France Publications, Inc. Duplication or reproduction of this article not permitted without authorization from France Publications, Inc. For information on reprints of this article contact Barbara Sherer at (630) 554-6054.