The design-build team of HKS and Clark Construction Group joined representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation—including director Christopher Wray and others—to celebrate the groundbreaking of the FBI Innovation Center in Huntsville, Ala. Officials representing Alabama’s congressional delegation, the U.S. Army, NASA and the city of Huntsville also helped commemorate the occasion. As the flagship building of the FBI’s new Science and Technology District at Redstone Arsenal, the 250,000-sq-ft facility will be dedicated to cyber threat intelligence, data analytics and training to combat emerging threats. The FBI is building a 243-acre campus at Redstone Arsenal to enhance its training programs and better recruit top talent in the region, among other goals. “Just eight months after commencing design, we’re excited to see this project break ground,” says Jim Whitaker, principal-in-charge leading the design team. “I’m very proud of the immense collaboration of Clark, the FBI and our design team to quickly and safely advance the design of this state-of-the-art facility.”

“The Clark-HKS team is excited to be delivering such an important facility that will enhance the intelligence community’s capabilities to keep our country safe,” added Keith Couch, a senior vice president overseeing the design and construction efforts on the project.

The HKS-Clark team’s scope of work also includes a central utility plant, dining facilities and an outdoor quad. The completion of the FBI Innovation Center is slated for 2023.

Photo courtesy Stantec

Tampa Bay Water recently selected Stantec to provide design and permitting services for its Pipeline B, part of the Southern Hillsborough County Supply Expansion Pipeline. The project will help the utility better meet the growing demand for potable water in the county’s South-Central service area. Stantec also will provide engineering services during construction. Pipeline B will span eight miles, connecting the Lithia Water Treatment Plant to a new point of connection in South Hillsborough County. The completed pipeline project will run approximately 25 miles and consist of at least 60-in.-dia pipes, which will pass through urban and rural corridors. “Water pipelines like this are the arteries of our daily lives and allow water to be transmitted large distances from the source benefiting a greater number of people,” said Jarah Parke, senior project manager at Stantec. “We’re excited to work with Tampa Bay Water to deliver this vital project for Hillsborough County residents.”

Photo courtesy of Archer Western Construction

Archer Western Construction reported that it has completed the replacement of Plant 1 at the James E. Quarles Water Treatment Plant in Marietta, Ga. The Quarles plant, constructed for the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority, treats raw water from the Chattahoochee River with a new conventional water treatment plant capable of handling 33 million gallons per day (MGD). The plant replacement project included the demolition of the nearly 70-year-old Plant 1, construction of the new facility as well as replacement of Plant 2’s raw water meters. A main project challenge was managing demolition of the existing plant while half of the existing plant was still in operation. For half of the old plant to remain in partial service, a temporary control room was designed to house the existing control panels and computer workstations until the remaining half of the plant could be demolished. Features added include a raw water transmission main with flow meter and flow control valve; three hydraulic flocculation basins and three sedimentation basins equipped with inclined plate settlers and hoseless sludge collectors; eight dual media filters with air scour backwash, including associated pipe gallery and filter building; and a high service pump station with three 20 MGD horizontal split case pumps equipped with variable frequency drives. The Archer Western-led team—which also included Hazen and Sawyer—utilized 3D modeling to assist with project visualization and construction. The project was completed under budget and with zero lost time incidents.

Photo courtesy Kaufman Lynn Construction

Kaufman Lynn Construction recently celebrated the ceremonial topping-out of its McNair Recreation Center project in Pompano Beach, Fla., by hoisting a tree atop the under-construction facility. “The renovations at McNair Park represent the growing importance of local recreation centers throughout Florida,” said Michael Kaufman, CEO of the Delray Beach, Fla.-based construction company. “We are excited to do this important work for the city of Pompano Beach that will result in an upgraded park facility that the community will enjoy for many years to come.” Pictured attending the ceremony are, from left: Randy Perez and Chris Long with Kaufman Lynn Construction; Pompano Beach Vice Mayor Beverly Perkins; City Commissioner Tom McMahon; Commissioner Cyndy Floyd; Pompano Beach Mayor Rex Hardin; Commissioner Andrea McGee; and Garret Southern and Pablo Burgos of Kaufman Lynn.