The next phase of Portland Streetcar will be doing loops around downtown Portland upon its opening in 2012. The 3.3-mi extension will add the east side to its service line, closing a loop of service long in the planning. Photo: Portland Streetcar Inc. Crews working on the newest phase of the Portland Streetcar Loop project first saw cut an 8-ft swath out of the existing roadway and excavate down approximately 13 in. Then crews lay the rebar cage and align the track prior to pouring concrete. The project will extend service another 3.3 mi, adding 28 new stops and bringing
A lot has changed since 1938, the year Southwest Contractor magazine commenced publication under a different name. Now in our 72nd year, we enter a new era with the unveiling of our first bimonthly issue. We are living in a rapidly changing world where news is delivered through print and, increasingly, through electronic means. With this in mind, as our print edition becomes a bimonthly publication, we are significantly stepping up our daily coverage of the Southwest�s construction and design industries on our newly re-designed web site, www.southwest.construction.com. In the near future, we will be adding an e-newsletter and Twitter
While modest in budget, the Tempe Library and Historical Museum renovations bring new life to old buildings. The Tempe Historical Museum�s former entryway (below) was demolished and replaced by an aluminum and glass storefront (above) with 72 LED lights that are programmed to wash the facade in four different colors. A 10-ft by 40-ft graphic scrim invites visitors to enter. Photo: Brignall Construction Related Links: No Walk in the Parq Complex Renovation Turns 1920�s Hospital into Boutique Hotel Wiseguys Return to Las Vegas Tight budgets didn�t restrain creativity during the concurrent renovations of the $8-million Tempe Public Library and the
Voters in Bernalillo County, N.M. handily approved a total of $617 million in school construction funding during a special mill levy and general obligation bond election Feb. 2nd. Rendering: Claudio Vigil Architects The $24-million Food and Nutrition Services Building will be the first to be funded by the APS bond passage. The mill levy’s 68.3% ‘yes’ vote continues existing property taxes through 2015 while $225 million in general obligation bonds received 72.1% approval. “The focus with this money will be on renewal and renovation of our older schools,” says Karen Alarid, AIA, executive director of capital operations and director of
Facebook broke ground on a new $188 million data center in Prineville. The 147,000-sq-ft facility is expected to create more than 200 jobs during its 12-month construction phase, led by the joint venture general contractor team of Redwood City, Calif.-based DPR Construction Inc. and Portland-based Fortis Construction. Photos courtesy Sheehan Partners Photos courtesy Sheehan Partners Photos courtesy Sheehan Partners For its first building of this type, Facebook found that Prineville offered “a suitable climate for environmental cooling, renewable power resources, available land, talented regional workforce and supportive business environment,” says Tom Furlong, the company’s director of site operations. The custom
Texas Construction presents its thirteenth annual Best Of awards issue, which honors projects completed in our region between Sept. 1, 2008, and Sept. 1, 2009.
As the 28,000 attendees of the Greenbuild 09 conference depart from Phoenix today, I’m struck by how active and vibrant our green building community is in the Southwest. While some in other regions may question how green Phoenix could possibly be given our sprawl and heat, the fact is we are one of the leaders in green building. Photo: Adolfson & Peterson Construction Seeking LEED platinum, the Tempe Transportation Center embodies a holistic sustainable approach. Located next to a new Light Rail station (right), the building�s green building features benefit the aesthetics, the community and teamwork among the project participants.
This month, Greenbuild 09 will occupy much of downtown Phoenix, centered around the new, LEED-certified Phoenix Convention Center. The conference will kick off with keynote speaker Al Gore on Nov. 11 and continue through the 13th. While attendance has swelled since the conference started in 2002, peaking at 28,224 registrants in Boston last year, most analysts expect those numbers to drop off somewhat given the economy. Related Links: Chandler Green Green Las Vegas UNM Takes LEED Maricopa Court Tower Organized by the national USGBC, Greenbuild also involves the local chapter to a large degree. “Greenbuild has been a galvanizing event
Crews have begun steel erection at the Maricopa County court tower, which is being built to meet or exceed LEED-NC v2.2 silver in downtown Phoenix. Photo: Patti Reznik Photography Crews have begun steel erection on the 14-story building, which is aiming to meet or exceed LEED-NC v2.2 silver. Related Links: Green Building Chandler Green Green Las Vegas UNM Takes LEED Topping off for the 14-story building is expected by May, with the $350-million project due for completion in 2012. The design calls for two additional levels below grade. Todd McMillen of Gilbane Building Co. of Phoenix, the construction manager at
Last month, the University of New Mexico received LEED gold for Castetter Hall Phase I on the Albuquerque campus. Photo courtesy of SMPC Architects Castetter Hall became the first LEED-certified building on the University of New Mexico�s Albuquerque campus. The LEED gold building will consume 31.5% less energy overall than traditional buildings on campus. Related Links: Green Building Chandler Green Green Las Vegas Maricopa Court Tower As the 110-year-old school’s first LEED-certified project, it was a satisfying moment for campus officials. Though other campuses have reached similar milestones, UNM has dramatically accelerated its green building program, with $220 million in
