New Biomed Lab for UT Southwestern Med Center

McCarthy recently began preconstruction work on a new 75,000-sq.-ft. laboratory at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. The project requires McCarthy to utilize specially trained staff and clean-construction protocol. The project is slated to begin in mid-2006 and complete in late 2007.

UT Southwestern Project to Start

McCarthy Building Co Inc. recently began construction work on a new 75,000-sq.-ft. laboratory to house biomedical research facilities at the University of Texas Southwestern medical Center at Dallas. (Rendering courtesy Perkins+Will, Dallas)

McCarthy Building Co. Inc. recently began preconstruction work on a new 75,000-sq.-ft. laboratory to house biomedical research facilities at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas at an anticipated construction cost of $20 million.

As one of the foremost research facilities in the world, UT Southwestern educates scientists whose research advances the frontiers of biomedical research and whose iscoveries benefit society. UT Southwestern conducts more than 2,500 research projects annually totaling more than $331 million.

The new UT Southwestern laboratory project is designed to provide researchers located on its South Campus convenient access to a clean environment to support their biomedical research. To achieve the sterile conditions required for such a facility, McCarthy is utilizing not only its specially trained staff, but specialized clean-construction protocol. Construction is anticipated to begin in mid-2006 and complete in late 2007.

McCarthy is providing a complete array of preconstruction services for the UT Southwestern laboratory project, ranging from the programming phase of design through construction commencement in the fall 2005. Estimating, value analysis, scheduling, constructability reviews and logistical analysis are among the services McCarthy will provide prior to mobilizing on site. McCarthy is working with UT Southwestern and its designer, Perkins+Will of Dallas.

Texas A&M-CC Gets New PAC

Cadence McShane Corp. recently announced the completion of the new 52,000-sq.-ft. Performing Arts Center located on the Corpus Christi campus of Texas A&M University. The construction of the center provides a contemporary home for the Corpus Christi Symphony as well as University performances.

The three-level concert hall features a dramatic 50-ft. glass wall facing Corpus Christi Bay that encompasses beautiful views of both the bay and the city skyline. The exterior of the building is comprised of precast concrete supported by a steel frame and artistic concrete columns that define the front of the building and support the expansive roof. >>

The interior of the building includes support spaces such as concession, management staff offices, and a "green room" for performers in addition to the concert hall and lobby. The mechanical and electrical rooms are housed in an adjacent three-story structure. The concert hall accommodates 1,500 guests in addition to 85 musicians. It is regarded as one of the finest acoustical venues in South Texas. The guest seats are positioned around the stage utilizing a tiered balcony system, making it possible to sit above and behind the orchestra.

The Performing Arts Center is located on the north side of the Texas A&M - Corpus Christi campus. Charles Doraine, president of the Corpus Christi Symphony's Board of Directors said he expects the center to promote artistic diversity and add to Corpus Christi's allure by positioning it as a cultural hub in South Texas. The Music and Arts Departments from the University expect the center to attract additional students from Texas and around the country.

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi held its first class on September of 1973 with an enrollment of 969 students. In 1994, it became a four-year university and currently has more than 8,000 enrolled students.

Architectural services for the project were provided by Corpus Christi-based Cotten, Landreth, Kramer Architects & Associates Inc. The design architect for the Performing Arts Center was Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates LLP of New York, N.Y.

Tarrant County Law Center Opens

Fort Worth's new Tarrant County Family Law Center officially opened its doors to the public on July 21 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held by county officials.

The $41 million, 265,000 sq.-ft. building is situated in the center of downtown Fort Worth, and will be the new home to Tarrant County's Family Law Court. The five-story building also includes a seven-level parking facility on an adjacent block to serve all visitors to the new center.

David M. Schwarz/Architectural Services Inc. of Washington, D.C., served as design architect with the assistance of Gideon Toal of Fort Worth as the architect of record. Construction on the center began in November of 2002.

Gilbane Building Co. served as the project's general contractor.